Palau de les Heures

Palau de les Heures is a neo-Gothic mansion in Barcelona's Horta-Guinardó district, built at the turn of the twentieth century and now part of the city's university campus.

Where does the name come from?

The Catalan name translates as "palace of the ivy," a reference to the climbing plants that have long covered its facades. Older records also refer to the building as Casa Gallart, after the family who commissioned it.

Who built it, and why?

In 1893 the land was purchased by Josep Gallart Forgas, a businessman who made his fortune in Puerto Rico before returning to Catalonia as one of the so-called "indianos" — Catalans who had grown wealthy in the colonies. He hired architect Augusto Font Carreras to design the building, and construction ran from 1894 to 1898.

What will you see at the site?

The palace's most striking feature is its set of four cylindrical towers, each capped with a conical roof, along with a central lantern rising above the main structure. This layout sets Palau de les Heures apart from the Catalan Art Nouveau architecture more typical of Barcelona in this era — the inspiration here came from the French château tradition rather than local modernist trends. The building sits within extensive grounds that today form part of the Mundet area, a green space popular with locals for walks and quiet breaks.

What role did the palace play during the Civil War?

During the Spanish Civil War, the Catalan government (the Generalitat) took control of the property. Because of heavy bombing raids on Barcelona, the palace became one of the residences used by President Lluís Companys, who sought a measure of safety away from the more exposed city center. This chapter of the building's history remains a point of interest for anyone curious about Catalonia's experience of the 1930s conflict.

How is the palace used today?

The building now houses the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation, an institution linked to the University of Barcelona that focuses on knowledge transfer and postgraduate programs. Palau de les Heures forms part of the university's Mundet campus, where courses in fields such as education and psychology are taught. As a result, the site combines its historic character with an active academic life.

How do you get there?

The palace stands in the northern part of Barcelona, within the Horta-Guinardó district, in the area known as Mundet. The easiest way to reach it is by metro line L3 to Mundet station, or by city bus — the journey from the city center typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. It's worth combining a visit with a walk through the surrounding park, which helps convey the scale of the estate and its green setting.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the building serves an active university function, its interior isn't always open to visitors — the facade and grounds are easiest to see on weekdays outside exam periods. Spring and autumn show off the surrounding greenery at its best, with mild temperatures that make longer walks around the campus grounds more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Palau de les Heures? The building functions as a university foundation's headquarters and part of an active campus, so interior access is generally limited to people affiliated with the university. The exterior and surrounding park, however, can be freely viewed.

Who designed the palace? It was designed by architect Augusto Font Carreras and built between 1894 and 1898 for Josep Gallart Forgas.

Why is the palace linked to the Spanish Civil War? During the war, Catalan authorities took over the property, and President Lluís Companys used it as one of his residences during a period of heavy bombing of Barcelona.

What's the easiest way to reach Palau de les Heures? Take metro line L3 to Mundet station — from there, it's a short walk to the palace and its surrounding park.